Moving from Passenger to Pilot · Connected Through Play

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Moving from Passenger to Pilot

I don’t know what your childhood was like, but my kids’ childhood was certainly more structured than mine. Of course, my kids also chose the competitive athlete route, which by its very nature requires more rigor. Have you noticed similar differences in your own home?

This brings me to a recurring theme I’m seeing among those close to me and the community at large: children often feel like "passengers." Their schedules are curated, their hobbies are rigid, and their goals are often set by adults. This lack of agency is a major contributor to the rise in childhood anxiety.

It’s worth reflecting on our own childhoods. Most of us grew up with more "white space", hours where no adult was checking a clipboard. We had the freedom to be bored and to make our own choices.

Play is how our kids reclaim that steering wheel. By stepping back and letting them lead, we show them that their ideas carry weight, independent of any grade or trophy.

What differences have you noticed from your childhood compared to kids today?

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